TOKYO, May 6 (UPI) -- A Japanese utility will suspend operation of a nuclear power plant over earthquake risks, company sources said Friday.
The Chubu Electric Power Co. will halt all reactors at its Hamaoka facility in central Shizuoka prefecture after Prime Minister Naoto Kan called for the step Thursday night, Kyodo News reported.
Kan said the Science Ministry is predicting an 87 percent chance of a 8-magnitude quake striking the region within 30 years.
Meanwhile, Tokyo Electric Power Co. increased the flow of water Friday into the No. 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, crippled by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
TEPCO aims to submerge the reactor's fuel within 20 days and activate an air-cooling system to reduce airborne radioactive substances in June.
An executive told The Wall Street Journal work will begin Sunday on a cooling system including a heat exchanger near the equipment hatch of the reactor building and air-cooling devices outside the building.
A similar system will be installed at the No. 2 and No. 3 reactors by July, the official said.
